Future of Management of Multiple Sclerosis in the Middle East: A Consensus View from Specialists in Ten Countries
Table 2
Examples of reimbursement practices in two Middle Eastern countries.
Country
Reimbursement situation
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(i) Government health scheme: 100% reimbursement (no cost to patients) for β-interferons, natalizumab, and fingolimod (ii) Private health scheme: 100% reimbursement (no cost to patients) for β-interferons (no reimbursement in private hospitals for natalizumab and fingolimod) (iii) Glatiramer is not currently available for prescription in Saudi Arabia
Egypt
(i) Health insurance systems related to the army, police, students, and so forth fully reimburse treatment costs (this represents around 40% of MS patients) (ii) For patients who can afford 60% of the monthly dose costs of β-interferon-1aa and β- interferon-1b, the government will reimburse the remaining 40% of the cost on submission of a payment receipt proving that they have already purchased and paid for these medications. In practice, this scheme covers about 30% of MS patients (iii) No reimbursement for the remaining 30% of MS patients
Rebif brand (trade mark of Merck Serono). bBetaferon brand (trade mark of Bayer).
